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The differences between lead graphic designers and graphic design managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a lead graphic designer and a graphic design manager. Additionally, a lead graphic designer has an average salary of $76,009, which is higher than the $66,975 average annual salary of a graphic design manager.
The top three skills for a lead graphic designer include adobe photoshop, graphic design and design concepts. The most important skills for a graphic design manager are graphic design, project management, and customer service.
| Lead Graphic Designer | Graphic Design Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $76,009 | $66,975 |
| Hourly rate | $36.54 | $32.20 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 46,260 | 48,269 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
A lead graphic designer is responsible for creating, designing, and updating the company's visual aspects. The lead graphic designer works closely with the branding department alongside the advertising and marketing team. It is essential for the lead graphic designer must be creative, willing to think outside the box, and brave to dare novel ideas. The lead graphic designer is also responsible for leading the creative department in accomplishing assigned tasks from management.
A graphic design manager is primarily in charge of leading and overseeing the efforts of a graphic design team, ensuring adherence to goals and deadlines. It is their duty to learn and analyze the purpose of design, coordinate staff, liaise with internal and external parties, set goals and objectives, manage schedules, and conceptualize plans. Furthermore, as a graphic design manager, it is essential to lead and encourage teams to reach goals while implementing the company's policies and regulations, including its vision and mission.
Lead graphic designers and graphic design managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Lead Graphic Designer | Graphic Design Manager | |
| Average salary | $76,009 | $66,975 |
| Salary range | Between $44,000 And $131,000 | Between $49,000 And $91,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | New York |
| Best paying company | Netflix | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Finance |
There are a few differences between a lead graphic designer and a graphic design manager in terms of educational background:
| Lead Graphic Designer | Graphic Design Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Graphic Design | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between lead graphic designers' and graphic design managers' demographics:
| Lead Graphic Designer | Graphic Design Manager | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 61.8% Female, 38.2% | Male, 48.9% Female, 51.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.4% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 10.4% White, 70.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 3.4% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 10.4% White, 70.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 13% | 13% |